John R. Crochet, Jr., M.D.  

Board Certified Board Certified

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility

Languages Languages

  • English and Spanish
Patient Testimonial
Dr. Crochet and his team have exceeded our expectations on this journey that was so unfamiliar and unexpected. We have always felt taken care of throughout our entire experience!

Dr. Crochet is such a caring, intelligent physician. I felt so supported, especially during the difficult times in my fertility journey.

Absolutely pleased with our results. Dr. Crochet was the first doctor to take my concerns seriously, found the root cause of my infertility issues and created a plan that helped us to conceive twins! He’s the best!

Biography

John R. Crochet, Jr., MD, FACOG, is a highly regarded specialist in obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) and reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI). He currently serves as the Practice Director and Director of Third-Party Reproduction at Shady Grove Fertility (SGF) Houston, providing care at the Clear Lake and Beaumont offices.

Dr. Crochet earned his Bachelor of Science in Genetics, magna cum laude, from Texas A&M University, followed by his medical degree from The University of Texas Medical Branch. He completed his residency in OB/GYN at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, where he was recognized for excellence in teaching and laparoscopic and hysteroscopic surgery. He then pursued a fellowship in REI at Duke University, where he also served as a clinical associate in the Department of OB/GYN.

Dr. Crochet is board-certified in both reproductive endocrinology and infertility and obstetrics and gynecology by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. His clinical interests span a wide range of fertility issues, including female and male infertility, single parent by choice, same-sex couples, donor egg programs, and gestational surrogacy.

A dedicated researcher, Dr. Crochet has contributed to 14 peer-reviewed manuscripts and presented 20 abstracts. His research has focused on IVF outcomes, preimplantation genetic testing, reproductive surgery, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and contraception. Notably, his systematic review and meta-analysis on the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

Dr. Crochet’s patient care philosophy centers on creating a patient-focused environment, where individualized treatment plans are guided by the latest medical evidence. His commitment to patient education and a positive experience has earned him recognition as a Texas Monthly Super Doctor yearly since 2015, as well as accolades from Houstonia and H-Texas magazines.
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Crochet holds an academic appointment as an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Texas Medical Branch. He is an active mentor to both new physicians at SGF and numerous medical students, residents, and fellows.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Crochet enjoys coaching youth sports, attending MLB and college football games, playing guitar, attending live music, snowboarding, and engaging in outdoor activities like hunting and fishing.

Dr. Crochet is proficient in medical Spanish and is affiliated with HCA Houston – Clear Lake and Memorial Hermann Southeast.
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Education

  • Residency: Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 
  • Fellowship: Reproductive Endocrinology and Fertility, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC  
  • Excellence in Residency Education, University of Texas Medical Branch  
  • Super Doctor, Texas Monthly 
  • Top Docs, H-Texas magazine 
  • Super Doctors Rising Star, Texas Monthly 
  • Top Doctors, Houstonia magazine 
  • Outstanding Senior Resident Teacher, UT Southwestern   
  • Excellence in Laparoscopic and Endoscopic Surgery, UT Southwestern  
  • American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG)  
  • American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) 
  • Harris County Medical Society (HCMS) 
  • Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (SREI)  
  • Moutos CP, Kearns WG, Farmer SE, Richards JP, Saad AF, Crochet JR. Preimplantation Aneuploidy and Quality Characteristics and Embryo Transfer Outcomes of Male Versus Female Blastocysts. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics (accepted for publication). 
  • Klimczak AM, Pacheco LE, Lewis KE, Massahi N, Richards JP, Kearns WG, Saad AF, Crochet JR. Embryonal mitochondrial DNA: relationship to embryo quality and transfer outcomes. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics 2018 May;35(5):871-877. 
  • Klimczak AM, Crochet JR. Cesarean Scar Pregnancy: A Novel Approach to Management. Journal of Reproductive Medicine 2018 Jan.  
  • Crochet JR, Yeh JS, Price TM. Operative Hysteroscopy. Medscape Reference. Updated April 9, 2014. Available at: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1848467-overview.  
  • Feng Q, Crochet JR, Dai Q, Leppert PC, Price TM. Expression of a mitochondrial progesterone receptor (PR-M) in leiomyomata and association with increased mitochondrial membrane potential. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 2014 Mar;99:E390-9.  
  • Yeh JS, Crochet JR, Price TM. Diagnostic Hysteroscopy. Medscape Reference. Updated July 11, 2013. Available at: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1848258-overview.  
  • Simel DL, Crochet JR, Bastian LA, Chireau MV. Ectopic Pregnancy. In: Simel DL, Rennie D. eds. The Rational Clinical Examination: Evidenced-Based Clinical Diagnosis. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2013.  
  • Crochet JR, Bastian LA, Chireau MV. Does this woman have an ectopic pregnancy? The rational clinical examination systematic review. Journal of the American Medical Association 2013 Apr;309:1722-9.  
  • Crochet JR, Shah AA, Schomberg DW, Price TM. Hyperglycosylated human chorionic gonadotropin does not increase progesterone production by luteinized granulosa cells. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 2012 Sep;97:E1741-4.  
  • Crochet JR, Peavey MC, Price TM, Behera MA. Spontaneous pregnancy reaches viability after low first trimester serum progesterone. Journal of Reproductive Medicine 2012 Mar-Apr;57:171-4.   
  • Lo A, Zheng W, Gong Y, Crochet JR, Halvorson LM. GATA transcription factors regulate luteinizing hormone β (LHβ) gene expression. Journal of Molecular Endocrinology 2011 Jul;47:45-58.  
  • Crochet JR, Yeh JS, Clowse MEB, Copland SD. Late ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome following controlled ovarian stimulation in a woman with systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis. Fertility and Sterility 2011 Apr;95:1786.e13-16.  
  • Crochet JR, Hawkins KC, Holland DP, Copland SD. Diagnosis of pelvic tuberculosis in a patient with tubal factor infertility. Fertility and Sterility 2011 Jan;95:289.e17-20.  
  • Sepilian VP, Crochet JR, Nagamani M. Serum soluble leptin receptor levels and free leptin index in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: relationship to insulin resistance and androgens. Fertility and Sterility 2006 May;85:1441-7.  
  • Walden JL, Garcia H, Hawkins H, Crochet JR, Traber L, Gore DC. Both dermal matrix and epidermis contribute to an inhibition of wound contracture. Annals of Plastic Surgery 2000 Aug;45:162-6.  

Q&A

I remember telling people at a very young age that I wanted to be a doctor, and I think it started because I noticed the love and adulation received by my great uncle who was a family practitioner. He was an amazing man and an extremely attentive physician. I was privileged to witness his approach firsthand as his patient. It turns out that I was interested in all the disciplines that support a career in medicine, and the desire to pursue this lifelong endeavor was reinforced every step along the way. I also had a childhood illness that required prolonged treatment. The devotion that so many amazing healthcare providers gave me further fueled that desire to help others in a similar manner. 

I am proud that SGF is a people-focused organization. Ultimately, the patients experience an environment that is focused and centered around them. The patient-focused environment is intentional and starts with the culture created by the SGF team members. When new team members are taught and longtime team members are reminded to first care for and respect each other, the result is an attentive and compassionate patient-focused, patient-centered culture. 

It is hard to pick just one time that I have been inspired by a patient because it actually happens daily. Truly, I am inspired by the grit, the fight, the openness, the vulnerability, and the strength our patients exhibit every day.  

I do remember a case where the patient had a persistently thin endometrial lining during treatment. This was after fighting so hard to get one good quality, genetically normal embryo in the setting of a low egg count. Over several years, she had multiple surgeries and cancelled treatments, but she persevered. We ultimately moved forward at a time when we thought the lining was good enough — a very wise mentor of mine once opined that we don’t always have to be perfect, sometimes we just need to be good enough — and she now has a beautiful little girl.    

Many patients will struggle, and that is why it is important that we take a fact-based approach to the discussions that we have. The conversations I have with my patients are very real and straightforward, but my goal is that my patients will fully understand the reasons why they are sub-fertile or infertile, the most successful path forward, as well as any reasonable alternative paths. I truly value patient autonomy, and I am always able to respect my patients’ perspectives. I guide my patients with evidence-based research for their fertility care while offering a compassionate understanding of what they are experiencing. While a portion of the struggle may remain, patients walk away from our discussions feeling supported emotionally and equipped with the knowledge they need to comfortably move forward. 

I find myself inspired by so many people and in so many different ways. I am inspired by artists who have the ability and creativity to produce beautiful works of visual and performance art and by musicians who create powerful lyrics and emotion evoking melodies.  

I am moved by individuals who show effortless compassion and fortitude and people who think and problem solve in both logical and abstract manners. I love it when folks are witty and funny in an intelligent way. I get inspired watching athletes from kids to professionals perform at their highest level, face the fear of failure, and succeed or learn when they don’t. 

I think anyone that is around me for more than five minutes knows that I measure the success of a day by how much gets accomplished while having a great time. I believe wholeheartedly that we are the most productive and happiest when we find the secondary gain in whatever it is that we are currently doing. For me, having fun is that additional piece. I am a jokester at heart and love being in the company of others that are enjoying themselves. 

I have lived an incredible life so far, so there are not a lot of to-dos on my bucket list. I married the love of my life and high school sweetheart, and we have a beautiful family and life together. We travel. We experience. I am completely fulfilled right now, but there are a few more things that I would like to do. I love — I actually need — live music, so I want to catch a show from one of my favorite bands at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Being a lover of the outdoors and baseball, I would also love to visit as many U.S. National Parks and baseball parks as I can. And, I want to do these things with the people I love. 

I am currently learning to play the guitar. Because of my love for music, I decided just before my 40th birthday that I should learn to play an instrument. I do not get to practice as much as I would like, and I am still not very good after three years, but I do truly enjoy (trying to) play. I feel like I am a better version of myself when I am playing the guitar regularly. I love going to see live music and really enjoy small, intimate venues. I love anything that gets me outdoors, especially active outdoor activities like skiing/snowboarding and camping. I also love watching baseball and college football. 

We have a very close family, so most of my spare time is spent with them. If I am not hanging out with family or doing one of the many outdoor activities I enjoy, I love watching cooking shows, sci-fi movies, and playing video games.